Nigeria's Ministry of Finance reaffirms financial inclusion push built on digital identity and pro-growth regulation

Nigeria's Ministry of Finance reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion, with the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, highlighting digital identity and pro-growth regulation as central enablers in remarks at Semafor’s Next 3 Billion Tour in Abuja. Uzoka-Anite pointed to the National Identification Number (NIN) and Bank Verification Number (BVN) as strengthening identity verification and supporting safer onboarding into the financial system, alongside the expansion of agent banking and mobile-first financial services. She cited fintech and bank-led services, including Moniepoint, OPAY and PalmPay, as accelerating daily use cases from payments to remittances for households and small businesses, and said consumer credit reforms are being designed to help Nigerians build assets over time. She also credited the Central Bank of Nigeria and ecosystem partners with improvements to settlement infrastructure and support for agent banking, while noting remaining gaps around power, connectivity and skills. The Minister indicated continued collaboration with relevant ministries, regulators, states and the private sector to close these gaps, as the Next 3 Billion Tour draws on insights from the Global Findex 2025 report and the Global Digital Connectivity Tracker.